IMPORTANT POLICY MATTERS
Plagiarism and Consequences
Critical Studies endeavors to teach students the essential skills and basic
ethics involved in any academic enquiry.. To this end,
we are committed to observing the policy on plagiarism set out in the CalArts Course Catalog. This stipulates that plagiarism
is the use of ideas and/or quotations (from the internet, books, films,
television, newspapers, articles, the work of other students, works of art,
media, etc.) without proper credit to the author/artist. Critical
Studies holds to the view that plagiarism constitutes intellectual theft and is
a serious breach of acceptable conduct.It
is also the policy of CalArts that students who
misrepresent source material as their own original work and fail to credit it
have committed plagiarism and are subject to disciplinary action. In the case
of Critical Studies, any student caught plagiarizing will immediately be given
a Ôno creditÕ for that class. The student will not be allowed to
re-write the paper, and if there is further evidence of plagiarism, Critical
Studies will recommend more severe disciplinary action, including suspension or
dismissal.
If you have any questions regarding plagiarism or want direction
on how to credit source material, ask the member of faculty and refer to
reference guides on permanent reserve in the CalArts
library. The CalArts reference librarians may be able
to offer additional information as well.
Absences and Consequences
Critical Studies also needs to ensure active and regular student attendance and
participation in our courses.Please
be punctual It is a courtesy to let your instructor know about an unavoidable
absence ahead of time, if at all possible. If a student misses more
than 3 sessions of class and does not pursue the withdrawal option, a NC will
be given and will appear on external records.
NX (insufficient attendance) grades will no longer be used
Withdrawal Period will be extended until the 10th week of the semester
NC grades must appear on external records to ensure accurate reporting to peer
institutions and for financial aid reporting. While CalArts
does not use a Grade Point Average (GPA) as part of its marking system, the
following formula will be used for external purposes: HP =4.00, P=3.00,
LP=2.00, NC=0.00.
The longer withdrawal period (through the 10th week of the semester) will provide an option for students to exit a course without
receiving a failing grade. To drop a course during the extended
withdrawal period, a student will obtain the Course Withdrawal form from the
RegistrarÕs Office, consult with his or her mentor, obtain the course
instructorÕs signature verifying the last date of attendance, and return the
form to the RegistrarÕs Office. The course will remain on the student's
record with a "W" grade, but the grade of "W" will
have no effect on the grade point average.
Grading Policy and Change of Grade
CalArts does not grade on the A-F scale. We
grade using:
High Pass (HP): Passing with Excellence
Pass (P): Passing with Quality
Low Pass (LP): Passing
Incomplete (I): Temporary evaluation. Through agreement between student and
instructor, Incompletes must be made up during the following semester.
In the interests of operating an equitable grading system, Critical Studies
stringently enforces CalArtsÕ change of grade
policy. Students have one semester upon receiving an ÒIncompleteÓ
grade to make up any missing coursework and/or projects. If this work
has not been completed by the end of the semester, the Incomplete converts
automatically to a ÒNo CreditÓ. After that time, changes
require the approval of Deans Council. Deans Council will approve such
grade changes only in the case of extreme, extenuating circumstances or in
cases of administrative/faculty error
Services for Students with Disabilities
CalArts will provide reasonable accommodations to
students with disabilities who have registered with the Student Affairs office. Registration with the Office of Student Affairs is on a
voluntary, self-identifying basis. Services are available only after a student
has presented certified, current documentation of the disability from an
appropriate medical or educational specialist, and this documentation has been
reviewed and accepted as complete. Please go to
http://calarts.edu/student-services/disabilities for
extensive information on services for students with disabilities.